Cancer patients help drive new treatment breakthroughs
Patients at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) are taking part in groundbreaking research that is helping identify cancer patients who can safely avoid chemotherapy.
The results of two national and international clinical trials are providing new hope for patients with cancer.
Both used genetic tests to identify patients who could benefit from a different treatment approach.
Over 30 patients at UHS took part in the two trials.
Personalising breast cancer treatment
Results from the international OPTIMA trial suggest that millions of women with breast cancer could safely avoid chemotherapy. The findings indicate they could do this without increasing the risk of their cancer returning.
Chemotherapy side-effects can be physically and emotionally gruelling. They include hair loss, rashes, nausea, insomnia and fatigue. Some women face life-changing consequences, such as infertility, cognitive impairment or early menopause.
The trial found a genomic test can be used to determine which patients need chemotherapy and which do not.
Over 4,000 patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer in the UK, Norway, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand and Thailand took part in the trial. It was led by researchers at University College London.
The trial found those with a low test score could be safely treated with hormone therapy alone.
UHS clinical and research teams recruited 29 patients to the OPTIMA trial. They continue to follow up with these patients to monitor their outcomes.
Dr Jenny Bradbury, Consultant Medical Oncologist, is leading Southampton’s involvement in the trial.
“I am really pleased to hear the results of OPTIMA,” she said. “Ultimately, this should enable us to expand our use of molecular testing to guide treatment decisions in appropriate patients with early hormone-sensitive breast cancer.
“The trial uses the Prosigna test, which can be undertaken in UK laboratories. We anticipate that, by using this test in this patient group, we will be able to advise more women that they can safely avoid chemotherapy after surgery. Overall, this will have a positive impact for our patients and NHS resources.
“I am grateful to the patients who took the time to consider the trial, and for their involvement in this practice-changing piece of clinical research.”
Tailored treatment for bowel cancer
A separate trial, known as NEOPRISM-CRC, is showing promising results for patients with a form of bowel cancer called MMR-deficient or MSI-high. This accounts for about 2,000 to 3,000 cases a year in the UK.
All 32 patients who took part in the national trial have seen no return of their disease three years later. Three of these patients took part at UHS.
The patients had stage two or stage three bowel cancer. All had a specific genetic profile that affects about 10–15% of people diagnosed with the disease.
The treatment involved an immunotherapy medication, known as pembrolizumab, before surgery. It removed the need for chemotherapy.
Dr Charlotte Rees, Consultant in Medical Oncology, led Southampton’s involvement in the trial.
“The recently reported recurrence-free survival data at just under three years is encouraging,” she said. “It will change the way this specific cohort of colorectal patients are treated, without the potential toxicity from adjuvant chemotherapy.”